The UN Security Council condemns Syria

The UN Security Council has come to a rare agreement on Syria, condemning the Assad regime for yesterday's mortar attack on Turkey.

Transcript

EMMA ALBERICI, PRESENTER: The UN Security Council has come to a rare agreement on Syria, condemning the Assad regime for yesterday's mortar attack on Turkey.

After hours of talks, Syria's ally Russia eventually agreed to support the statement, which was fiercely critical of the attack.

GERT ROSENTHAL, SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT: The members of the Security Council condemn in the strongest terms the shelling by the Syrian armed forces of the Turkish town of Akcakale, which resulted in the deaths of five civilians, all of whom were women and children.

EMMA ALBERICI: Turkey has already launched counter-strikes on Syria and has won parliamentary approval to send troops across the border if necessary. But the Turkish prime minister insists his country doesn't want war.

RECEP TAYYIP EERDOGAN, TURKISH PRIME MINISTER (TRANSLATED): And the real purpose of the bill that was approved in parliament today is to re-establish our deterrence. As you know, one of the most effective ways of preventing wars is effective deterrence.

EMMA ALBERICI: Anti-war demonstrators have taken to the streets in several Turkish cities to protest against the parliament's decision.

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